EMPLOYEES OF STATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 201, 25 August 1937, Page 15

EMPLOYEES OF STATE.

? SHOCKING*' POSITION. £ •' GOING UP. (By Telsgrapfc.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, Tuesday. The unemployment problem was discussed by Mr. .0. C. Mazengarb, of Wellington, in an address delivered on behjalf of the National ;party in HamiJton this evening. ''-.•■K ... ' . Mr. MttMiigarb said it, was distinctly un&ir to criticise any< Government for the difficulties which. brought about unemployment. It could be conceded that' the number of- unemployed Had been reduced, but no one could deny that as the result of normal trade recovery thousands of citizens had been. absorbed in regular work unaided by the Government. Of the 18,000 who had gone off the unemployed /register 8000 had been placed ,on public works at standard rates of pay, and there were now 10,392 men working jfpr the IJepartment. The number of civil servants had been increased by over 3090 'since the Labour Government came into office. i'* ■ Mr. Mazengarb" contended that the merit of a. Government was to be tested in times of prosperity by its ability to get menback into productive activity arid :to reduce the numbear' of; men on public works. " ; " : The speaker quoted figures to show that unemployment was now actually on the increase. The number on sustenance had increased frojft 11,202 in June; IJ>35, to 22,210 in July, 1937. r It was shocking, said Mr. Mazengarb, iti find there werenow 60,200 men tori public works, relief sustenance and specially engaged civil Servants looking to be supported indefinitely by the State, and the numbers were going up instead of down.